Satisfy your cravings with irresistible food at the festival
MADISON – Chow time! La cena está lista (“Dinner is ready.” In Spanish.) Let’s eat!
Whatever way you choose to say it, food options will be abundant from 39 vendors at the 2006 Madison Street Festival.
“We do our best to make sure there’s a wide variety of food so everyone can find something to enjoy,” Chair Rebecca Franz said. “Vegan, gluten-free, chicken, beef, pork, shrimp, pizza, popcorn and a large array of sweets and treats. No one will go hungry at this festival.”
All vendors are vetted and must provide permits and licenses to participate. Vendors work hard to make sure their customers walk away smiling and satisfied.
In 2022, Franz started working with MSF food when then Councilmember Karen Denzine asked her to organize required data for selecting food vendors. Many vendors want to participate in the event; keeping track of all information is important.
Franz and Denzine were acquainted. Denzine interviewed Franz as an applicant for the Madison Police Citizens Advisory Committee, and Franz eventually worked as committee secretary. “I suppose all the organizing I did for the committee to function properly and the records I began to keep were a good indication to Karen that I would do well with tracking everything involved with the MSF Food Area,” Franz said.
“Because of the popularity and longevity of the festival, it’s not difficult to get enough food vendors,” Franz said. The festival is advertised on Facebook, MSF website at madisonstreetfestival.org and other outlets. Each year, registration opens on May 15 at 8 a.m. for all areas.
“Spots fill relatively quickly. We try to honor the timestamp for completing registration, but we also must keep variety and capabilities in mind when selecting vendors,” Franz said.
MSF Committee members sample food at other events and recruit vendors who have delicious food and efficient organization. “Many vendors keep coming back to our festival because they’re so successful there. Some rely on MSF as a major source of their annual income,” Franz said.
This year, MSF will have 39 food vendors: six trucks, 11 trailers and 22 booths. The wait list has 38 vendors. In 2025, a total of 31 vendors participated.
A popular returning vendor is Greek Flame Foods. Gyros are especially popular. These individuals travel from Florida for MSF.
“I have a sense of pride knowing how well the vendors do and some thank me as they leave and compliment the MSF organization,” Franz said. “It takes a lot of work to make sure everything is in order after selecting vendors that will participate.”
With so many scenarios to consider, Franz must map MSF’s footprint to place vendors. “Crystal McBrayer, MSF President, has said the Food Area is the most difficult section to manage. This is my fourth year for MSF Food, and my first managing it on my own. I’ll be extra proud this year,” Franz said.
“I love working with this MSF team! It’s truly a labor of love for all of us,” Franz said. “We keep each other’s spirits up, and I’ve never felt alone in this process. I can always reach out for help, and help is always given.”
• Beverages — Park & Perk; Dan’s Old Fashioned Concessions; Happi Pappi Beignets (coffee, cocoa); Kudzu Cafe (flavored lemonade); Slurp Soda Shop; Sweet Home Sodas.
• Chicken and other proteins — Big Flavor Tenders & Wings; Rocket City Hibachi (steak, shrimp).
• Desserts — Jet Prestons Flying Sugar (cotton candy); Mel B’s Fried Pies; Nautical Bowls Madison Tropical; Tropical Sno (shaved ice); Tiffany Rose Sweet Wheels; Butterfly Lane (cakes, pound cakes).
• Frozen Treats – Smith’s Not Just Popsicles (frozen treats, fruit lemonade); The Good Ice (ice cream, Hawaiian shaved ice); Venice Gelato.
• Ethnic foods — Forever Grateful (Cajun); Greek Flame Foods (gyros, salad, sausage); El Dorado Food Truck (Tex-Mex).
• Hamburgers — Burger Quest (fries); The Lunch Wagon (hot dogs, mac ‘n cheese).
• Hot dogs — 4B Concessions (corn dogs, funnel cakes); Iceworks Shaved Ice.
• Cookies — Cookies by Kaylan; Capital Cookie Co.; Scarlett Cookie Co. (sugar cookies, cream bars); The Rich Baker (cakes, Rice Krispies treats).
• Miscellaneous treats — Flour & Flower; Lou’s Handmade Treats; Munchies Eatery; Russell’s Popcorn; Rocket City Treats; Get Loaded (potatoes, nachos, brisket); Hunnydew Bakery (gourmet gluten-free); Rocket City Popperz (popcorn, old-fashioned floats).
• Pizza — Valentina’s Pizzeria (cannoli).
• Vegetarian — Vujee Vegan.
